Date: February 16, 2010
9:32:58 PM EST
Subject: RE: [DCHAS-L] Minor
Chemical Incidents in Undergraduate Labs
Personally I think it is always good to do a lessons
learned with incidents. The depth of the lessons learned
discussion or investigation depends upon the seriousness, but this can
be a good learning tool for students - and it is usually of great
interest to them.
Robert Hill,
Ph.D.
===
Date: February 16, 2010 6:36:38 PM
EST
Subject: RE: [DCHAS-L] Minor
Chemical Incidents in Undergraduate Labs
Hi
Mary,
While it might be satisfying
to do RCA on all incidents, it=92s not practical.
Reserve RCA for times when the potential benefit is
worth the effort.
What makes sense to me is
investigating all incidents and near misses to determine the level of
potential risk involved.
Preventable high potential
risk incidents deserve the RCA effort.
The key is focusing in on the potential rather than
actual severity experienced.
And,focusing on =93preventable=94 incidents.
Definition: A preventable accident is one which occurs
when one fails to act in a reasonably expected manner to prevent
it.
Good luck,
MM
===
Date: February 16, 2010 9:11:36 PM
EST
Subject: Re: [DCHAS-L] Minor
Chemical Incidents in Undergraduate Labs
Mary,
I would
say no. There would be a lot of attendent problems that might result.
Instructors and students must take responsibility for their actions.
After a "thorough" safety indoctrination, every one is responsible for
their own actions. Reportable incidents might include those requiring a
911 call or those which might lead to litigation. I propose the best way
to deal with a minor situation is to fill out an Incident Report (as
opposed to investigating) to file and leave it at that. Th file should
be reviewed from time to time to see if there is root cause for certain
kinds of incidents.
Regards,
Ernie
Lioppert
